Born Christopher Edwin Breaux on October 28, 1987, Christopher Francis “Frank” Ocean is an American singer, songwriter, and rapper. Music critics have praised his works for their avant-garde aesthetics and reflective, elliptical lyrics. Among other honors, Ocean has received two Grammy Awards, and a Brit Award for International Male Solo Artist, and his two studio albums have been named among the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time by Rolling Stone (2020).
Before beginning his musical career in 2010, Ocean worked as a ghostwriter for the hip-hop group Odd Future. He issued his debut mixtape, Nostalgia, Ultra, the following year, and subsequently signed a recording deal with Def Jam Recordings. His debut studio album, 2012’s diverse Channel Orange, had R&B and soul influences. Channel Orange won Best Urban Contemporary Album at the 2013 Grammy Awards and was nominated for Album of the Year. One of its tracks, “Thinkin Bout You,” was also nominated for Record of the Year. In 2013, Time magazine listed him as one of the most important persons in the world.
Frank Ocean’s music has been nominated for and won numerous awards. He had won two Grammys, a Soul Train Award, and a UK Music Award as of February 2017. He also received recognition from the BBC, mtvU, NME, GQ, and Vibe magazines.
